Fuel indicating device



March 18, 1969 D. BATCHELOR FUEL INDICATING DEVICE Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 22, 1966 Ill] MA M /{Zi adfi mf INVENTOR. fiewz'tf L. Bafche/oh BY.

March 18, 1969 LBMCHELOR 4 4 3,434,134

Sheet Filed Aug. 22, 1966 INVENTOR. flea/[ff L. Bait/7e10,"

United States Patent 3,434,134 FUEL INDICATING DEVICE Dewitt L. Batchelor, HQ 3rd Bu (HJ), 2nd Arty., 1st Armored Division, Fort Hood, Tex. 76545 Filed Aug. 22, 1966, Ser. No. 574,507 U.S. Cl. 340-244 1 Claim Int. Cl. G081) 21/00 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A fuel indicating device including a base and an upper frame pivoted on the base frame. The upper frame, which is a tray, supports a fuel container and is normally biased away from the base frame by a spring. A plunger carried by the upper frame closes the switch when there is sulficient fuel in the container to tilt the upper frame towards the forward portion of the base frame and when the fuel becomes low in the container, the spring tilts the upper frame away from the forward portion of the base frame and opens the switch, so that the amount of fuel may readily be observed by the position of the upper frame and container or remotely by a signal.

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government for governmental purposes, without the payment to me of any royalty thereon.

My invention relates to a fuel indicating device, and more specifically a device to indicate the status of the fuel supply for generators or the like which utilize a standard five gallon fuel container.

In the field and in temporary camps electrical power for the operation of lights, radar sets, radio sets and the like is supplied by gasoline operated generators. The generators are frequently located some distance from the equipment they are supplying and either have to be attended by a soldier or chance a power failure when the generator runs out of gas. It will be readily appreciated that a fuel indicating device which warns the operator of the electrical equipment that the fuel supply is low will prevent the abrupt loss of electrical power and possible damage to electrical equipment resulting therefrom, or will release a soldier who is attending the generator for other duty.

It is therefore a primary object of my invention to provide a device which will enable the radio or radar operator to know when the fuel supply for his power source generator is low.

Another object of my invention is to provide a fuel indicating device for a generator which will enable the radio or radar operator located some distance from his power source generator to know when the fuel for same is low.

A further object of my invention is to provide a fuel indicating device for a generator which can be located at a distance remote from its associated electrical equipment and does not require personnel to attend the generator in order to prevent electrical power failure due to an exhausted fuel supply.

The objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this application, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

FIGURE 1 is a schematic view of my invention showing the fuel indicator bracket in the closed non-signalling position,

FIGURE 1A is a schematic view of my invention showing the fuel indicator bracket in the open signalling position,

"Ice

FIGURE 2 is a perspective exploded view of the fuel indicator bracket, and the standard 5 gallon container, and

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the switch carried by the fuel indicator bracket.

In the drawing wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 10 indicates a standard 5 gallon gasoline container seated in a fuel indicator bracket generally noted at 11. The container 10 has a conventional fuel adapter 12 secured in its mouth and includes a tube 13 extending from the mouth diagonally to and spaced from the bottom of the container, and a fuel line 14 extending from the adapter 12 to a generator 15.

The bracket 11 comprises a rectangular base frame 16 having side members 17, front and rear members .18 and 19, all having an upper surface 20. The front member 18 is hollow and includes an inner wall 21 and an outer wall 22, and centrally located opening 23 in its upper surface 20. As best seen in FIGURE 2, a rod 24 is secured off center to the side members 17 by any suitable means, and extends beyond the outer limits of the side members 17. A rectangular upper frame 25 is of a configuration conforming to the base frame 16 and to the bottom portion of the container 10 which it seats, and includes upright side portions 26 and front and rear portions 27, 28, all of which have inwardly extending flanges 29. Ears 30 having openings 31 to receive the ends of the rod 24 are secured to the side members 26 in any suitable manner, such as by rivets 32.

A contact switch generally indicated at 33 comprises a stationary member 33a secured to the inner wall of the front member 18 of the base frame 16 including a pivot pin 34 and a contact point 35. A spring loaded arm 36 is secured for pivotal movement to the pin 34 and has a contact point 37 aligned with the contact point 35 and a centrally disposed boss 38. A wire 39 extends from the pivot pin 34 to the binding post 40 which is fastened to the exterior surface of the front member 18. A second post 4.1 is secured in the manner of post 40 and is grounded to the arm 36 and base frame 16.

Attached to and extended through the mid-portion of the flange 29 of the front portion 27 of the upper frame 25 is a plunger 42 which is in vertical alignment with the boss 38. The plunger 42 extends through the opening 23 in the upper surface 20 of the front portion 18 to contact at times the top surface of the boss 38. A coil spring 43 surrounds the plunger 42 and is interposed between the base frame 16 and the upper frame 25 to urge the frames 16 and 25 apart.

As seen in FIGURE 1, wires 44 and 45 are connected to the binding parts 40, 41, one of which is secured to batteries 46, and to a light bulb 47 which is positioned at the site of the electrical unit powered by the generator 25. I

In operation, the warning light 47 is on or near the control unit of a radar or radio set, and the generator 15 is placed some distance away. The gasoline container 10 is filled and placed in the upper frame 25 which is pivotly secured off center by means of the cars 30 and the rod 24 to the base frame 16. The weight of the filled container 10 overcomes the tension of the coil spring coil 43 and tilts the upper frame 25 forward towards upper surface 20 of the front member 18 of the base frame 16. The plunger 42 contacts the boss 38 and forces the spring loaded arm 36 downwardly to separate the contact points 35, 37. In this condition the switch 33 and, of course, the light 47 is off. The spring 43 is tensioned to overcome the weight of the off center mounted upper frame 25 and the container 10 carried therein when the fuel reaches a predetermined point. I prefer to have the spring tensioned so it will overcome the weight imposed on it when about onehalf a gallon of fuel is remaining in the container. As the fuel is consumed by the generator 15 and the weight lessened, the spring 43 expands causing the container to be tilted to the rear thereby releasing the plunger 42 from the boss 38 and permitting the spring loaded arm 36 to move upwardly .so its contact point 37 engages the contact point 35. The switch 33 through the wires 44, 45, which are secured to the binding .posts 40, 41 and to the battery 46, illuminates the signal light 47 to warn the radar or radio operator that the fuel supply for the generator is low.

It will be appreciated that a 55 gallon drum could be utilized by providing a heavier spring and adapting the bracket 11 to receive the base of the larger container.

I claim:

1. A fuel indicating device for use with a fuel container comprising a base frame having side, front and rear members, said front member of said base frame including an inner and an outer wall, an upper fuel container frame having a configuration conforming to said base frame and to the bottom portion of a fuel container, said upper frame including upright side, front and rear portions, all said portions on said base and upper frames having inwardly extending flanges, there being an opening located centrally in the flange on said forward portion of said base frame, a pair of downwardly extending ears secured, one each to the side portions of said upper frame and disposed rearwardly of midportion thereof, a rod passing through said ears and normally resting on the upper surface of said base frame whereby said upper frame is capable of substantial tilt with respect to said base frame, a contact switch having a stationary member with a contact point carried bv said inner wall of said base frame and a spring loaded arm carrying a second contact point pivotally secured to said stationary member, a boss positioned on said arm in vertical alignment with said opening in the flange on said forward portion of said base frame, said contact switch being capable of actuating a signal, a coil spring interposed between said upper frame and said base frame normally urging same apart, a plunger carried 'by the front portion of said upper frame extending through said coil spring and said opening in said front flange of said base frame and engaging said 'boss to overcome said spring and disconnect said switch when said container is filled and said upper frame is tilted towards the front portion of said base frame and said switch being activated to actuate a signal when most of the fuel in the container is exhausted and said spring forces said upper frame to tilt towards the rearward portion of said base frame.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3 35,223 2/ 18 86 Hexarner 200- XR 1,659,421 2/ 1928 Anderson. 1,669,628 5/ 1928 Renaud 20085 XR 1,960,214 5/1934 Deron. 2,249,645 7/ 1941 Applegarth 200-8 2,572,521 10/1951 Rogers.

JOHN W. CALDWELL, Primary Examiner.

D. K. MYER, Assistant Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 

